Experimental Investigation of Orange Peel Oil Methyl Ester on Single Cylinder Diesel Engine

The rising cost and exponential depletion of crude oil in international market has provided an opportunity for the researchers to evaluate the utilization and suitability of various renewable fuels. Amongst variety of alternative fuels, biofuels have the potential to mitigate the vulnerability and the adverse effects of use of fossil fuels. Vegetable/plant oil is better proposition as alternative fuel for diesel engine having much advantage over other alternative fuels. Orange oil from its peel has a huge potential and can be used as an alternate fuel at the most economical purchase rate. In the present investigation experiments were carried out to evaluate performance and emission characteristics of Orange peel oil methyl ester blends (OPOME) (10%, and 20% by volume) on unmodified diesel engine. The properties of these blends were found to be comparable to diesel and confirming to both the American and European standards. Engine performance (brake specific energy consumption, brake thermal efficiency) and emissions (CO, HC, NO_x, and smoke density) were measured to evaluate the behavior of the diesel engine running on biodiesel and diesel. It has been found that at peak load condition the brake thermal efficiency of 20% blend of OPOME is higher than that diesel. Emissions of HC and CO were found to be reduced with increase in OPOME percentage compared to diesel confirming better combustion due to the oxygenated fuel. However, there was substantial increase in NO_x in case of OPOME compare to diesel. From overall analysis it may be concluded that Orange peel oil biodiesel showed better performance and emission characteristics than that of diesel and used as a fuel in unmodified single cylinder diesel engine.